Man steals thousands of dollars from people looking to have classic cars restored

PITTSBURGH — At least 10 people were cheated out of their money after a man promised to restore their classic cars, according to police.

Curtis Ukasik was arrested in April and is facing 17 theft charges.

Investigators said the owner of Redline Performance Motorsports cheated his clients out of money while promising to restore their classic cars.

Michael Ravas owns Pioneer Mechanical Services in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, where he leased the space Ukasik used for last year after Ukasik suddenly left.

"One day he was here and the following morning he was gone, must have moved out in the middle of the night. All the cars were gone," said Ravas.

Court paperwork said one victim wired Ukasik about $227, 505 in 2010 to customize a 1969 Chevy Camaro. When the victim was unable to get his car back, he hired a private investigator, who found the car in the same condition as when it was given to Ukasik.

Officials said the owner of a 1962 Chevy Belair was taken for $83,000 and the owner of a 1970 Dodge Charger gave Ukasik $80,000.

When Ukasik was questioned by police as to why he didn’t complete the work, he gave excuses, such as that his mother had a heart attack, his child was sick in the hospital or the body shop was slow.

Cox Media Group